I \"stole\" a trailer

Since I purchased a 1976 Honda 550K and had to rent a truck to travel 6 hours one-way to retrieve it, AND have since bought TWO 550Ks and a CB200 from one seller and was at the mercy of a friend to haul them back for me, I diligently started looking for a reasonably priced trailer.
Man, did I hit the motherlode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On craigslist I saw a posting for a 5x10 trailer with a 4-foot fold down ramp that had a selling price of only $550. I replied to his ad (no reply) then called him the next day (of course I had to leave a message). By this time I was fearing that he had already sold it.
About an hour after I got to work the seller left me a message on my cell phone. I returned his call and I found out that the trailer was at a storage facility less than a mile from where I work.
I go to check it out and was blown away as to the superb condition it was in. Three brand new tires (a spare), a brand new looking jack and not a scratch on the trailer ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course it was fully wired , but the best part of it was is that the seller is a customer of mine! (I'm in the retail wine and spirits business, and have been for more than 25 years).
I can't help but feel I must be livin' right.
I can't pick it up until Wednesday because I can not get a Class 3 hitch installed on my Element until Wednesday morning.
The wife wasn't real pleased until I told her that it would be great for hauling mulch and top-soil this spring. She has since gotten over it!
I'll post pics as soon as I get it home.
Oh yea; I also have to learn how to back this trailer. I've never done it before in my 53+ years. Fortunately there is a huge WalMart parking lot a couple of miles from my house. I'll get it down in no time!
Anyway, I'm psyched and just wanted to share.

Assuming that's a short trailer since it's a single axle, one bit of advice, "Back very slowly".

The shorter the trailer the harder it is to back, a 53' trailer is a piece of cake compared to a little single axle

Ok, one more piece of advice (couldn't resist), put one hand on the bottom of the wheel and turn it the direction you want the trailer to go. I have backed up various size trailers hundreds (probably thousands) of times and I don't do it that way, but I raed about it and tried it, and it is pretty easy.

Thanks steell.
I have read tips about backing a trailer. Can't wait for my first attempt!:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Oh yea. Where the hell am I going to park this thing once I get it home??????????????:ohmy: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I also bought a trailer from Craigslist, about a year ago. a 4'x8' harbor freight cheapy. i got it for 100 dollars and could not be happier. even with a truck, i will take the trailer to get a bike, no heavy lifting . does get you in alot of trouble though with the lady. they do not like to hear, "i'll just throw it on the trailer, it'll be fine"
i would recommend, checking and greasing the wheel bearings first off, never can tell what the previous owner did, and you dont want to be the guy on the side of the road with a seized wheel.

Congrats on the trailer! Sounds like a great deal. Don't sweat the backing up, once you do it a few times it gets easy.

flht1997 wrote:

I also bought a trailer from Craigslist, about a year ago. a 4'x8' harbor freight cheapy. i got it for 100 dollars and could not be happier. even with a truck, i will take the trailer to get a bike, no heavy lifting . does get you in alot of trouble though with the lady. they do not like to hear, "i'll just throw it on the trailer, it'll be fine"
i would recommend, checking and greasing the wheel bearings first off, never can tell what the previous owner did, and you dont want to be the guy on the side of the road with a seized wheel.

I have one of those too, and hauled my KLR on it back and forth to Oklahoma while I was essentially living there the past couple of years. Those things are great for the bucks you spend. It's payed for itself so many times ove the past 12 years or so when I had to move, haul off yard debris, move bikes, etc., and didn't have to rent a U-Haul. I think they say it's good for 1100 lbs, I doubt I've ever come close to that except for once. It is tough to back up it being so short and low so you can't see it.

I have two trailers and don't think I could get by without them. One is an 18' dual axle, utillity that I haul cars on, mostly Fieros. It has ramps, tool box and a winch. And the other one is a six footer that's great for a quad or even two bikes. Once you've started using yours reguarly you'll love it !!! Nice find !!!

Guys:
I'll be parking the trailer in front of the house 'till spring. I live in a decent neighborhood, but I'm sure there will be some temptation from the drive-bys to get themselves a nice trailer.
Any suggestions on how to keep it in my possession? I've seen some wheel locks on ebay but was wondering what you guys suggest.
Thanks,
Jim

Take a 3 inch steel bar and drive it into the ground about 2 feet. Buy two thick metal chains and one pad lock. Wrap one chain around the pipe and through the trailer and attach the padlock. Wrap the end of the other chain around the base of the pole. Buy a rabid, vicious guard dog and forget to attach him to the other end of the chain. Should protect your investment fine.

Well Jim:

Parked on the road (with no attachment to anything) is merely an invitation. Find an acquaintance and park it their backyard. I know a number of people who have lost trailers because they thought they were in a 'safe' area and weren't chained down. The police don't expend much energy looking for small stolen flatbed trailers.

Post edited by: Mcdroid, at: 2008/01/07 11:49

you could take the wheels off

A couple of suggestions:


www2.northerntool.com/product/200172124.htm

www.nextag.com/trailer-coupler-lock/search-html